Safety device for guns



Oct. 18, 1949. J, BOONE 2,484,928

SAFETY DEVICE FOR GUNS Filed Aug. 31, 1946 l8 l l /W VENTOR. JOHN FRA BOONE AT TORNEY Patented Oct. 18, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE FOR GUNS John Frank Boone, Long Lake, N. Y.

Application August 31, 1946, Serial No. 694,215

'1 Claims. i

This invention relates to safety devices for guns and more particularly relates to devices which automatically lock the gun trig er, and are conveniently manually manipulable to release the trigger when the gun is at shoulder firing position.

An object of the invention is to provide a safety locking device for guns whereby the trigger or triggers are automatically normally locked against unintended discharge of the gun at any position, but which may be conveniently manually manipulated to release the trigger lock when the gun is at firing position.

Another object is to provide a device for normally automatically locking the tri ger or triggers of the gun, wherein a releasing means is provided on the side of the gun stock for manual operation by the free fingers of the triggeroperatin hand in the natural gripping of the gun stock.

A further object is to provide a trigger-locking device of few parts and which is simple and rugged in construction, light in weight, economical in manufacture and readily installed in a gun. 7

With the foregoing and other objects in view, all of which will be apparent from this specification, the invention consists of an automatic trigger-locking device one form of which is ex emplified in the following description and accompanying drawing, it being understood that changes may be made in size, shape, form, material, degree and minor details without departing from the spirit of the invention which is de-. fined in the appended claims.

In the drawing;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of the invention with one wall of stock broken away.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal transverse section of stock and tang structure showing safe.- ty device in locking position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary 1ongitudinal transverse section of stock and tang structure with safety device in released position.

Fig. 4 is a front view of safety block structure and portions of tang and trigger structures.

In a broad sense, the invention consists in providing an automatically operative lock for the trigger or triggers of a gun and means on the side of the stock rearwardly of the triggers for releasing the lock by manual operation of pres sure by a finger of the trigger-operating hand which grasps the gun stock when the gun is at firing position. As herein exemplified, the invention is described and illustrated as applied to a type of gun generally designated as a double barrelled hammerless shotgun.

Referring to the drawing in which like reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the several views, 8 is a conventional gun stock having a longitudinally hollowed or recessed portion 9 at its forward end to receive therein an elongated structure generally indicated it and referred to herein as the tang structure, though also known as a receiver structure in some guns. The tang structure is relatively narrow and its depth is substantially the depth of the stock. At the top of the tang structure is an upper tang plate II and at its bottom is a lower tang plate l2, also sometimes called a trigger plate, which plates close the recess 9 at top and bottom and support the tang structure in the stock by forward and rearward tang bolts l3, M. Within the tang structure are the usual and Wel1 known standard mechanisms for operating a doublebarrel shotgun, such as hammers l5, sears l5, ll each with an inturned finger [6a and Ila respectively at the rear end, which fingers overlie and engage the upper surface of that portion of triggers l8, 19, which have elongated plates extending within the tang structure, which for descriptive purposes may be termed trigger plates, I811 and I941. The triggers have the usual integral depending right or forward and left or rearward trigger hooks 20, 2| within a trigger guard 22.

The portions of the triggers which extend into the tang structure and are termed trigger plates, are elongated, and each is pivotal at its forward end on trigger pin 23 mounted on an upformed lug 13a on the lower tang plate, the lug also serving to receive one end of bolt l3 and the pivot pins for the sears. At the rearward end within the tang structure the trigger plates are chainferred arcuately from near the top to the bottom thereof as at 24 and are provided with a stop member or tooth 25 providing a notch at the extreme upper portion of the chamfer, for pur-,

erably relatively angularly disposed at approximately midlength of the shank. The upper portion 28a is provided with an eyelet through which the pivot pin 30 extends whereby the safety block is adapted for pivotal movement thereon. The cross head 29 is spring actuated, as will be further described, to normally bear upon the chamfer 24 at the rear end of the trigger plate portion within the tang structure and thus prevent the triggers from being raised by pressure upon either of the trigger hooks 20, 2|.

It is to be understood that the the respective hammers is efiected by raising the sears It and H responsive to upwardmovement of the respective trigger plates l8, l9 through engagement by the triggers of theinturned sear fingers ma, Ila. Since the upward movement of the triggers is responsive to a pulling pressure of the trigger'hooks 20, 2|, it follows that by thus locking the triggers there can be no operation of the triggers nor of the sears to release the hammers. This is the automatically locked normal position of the triggers and safety block at all times when they are not intentionally released by mechanism hereinafter described.

Means are provided for releasing the locking of the triggers so that the triggers may be manually operated for actuating the hamers to fire the gun, it being understood that both triggers are locked and released simultaneously, though usually the barrels of a gun are fired separately, yet frequently in close succession. Broadly, the releasing means comprises the safety block 21, a train of levers, and spring tensioned press button which is positioned in the outer sidewall of the gun stock which is vertical when the stock isat shoulder position, said button being sufficiently rearwardly of the triggers to be manually engaged by the free fingers of the shooters trigger-operating hand which pass under the stock and up the vertical side wall thereof. Intermediate its length the safety block shank 28 is engaged by one arm of a relatively substantially perpendicularly disposed bellcrank lever plate 3|, the latter having an opening 32 adjacent the free end of one arm for loosely but closely engaging the shank 28 at approximately the angle thereof, so that the bellcrank plate 3| is free to pivotally turn thereon; In assembling the parts it is to be noted that the opening 32 of the bellcrank plate 3| and the upper portion 28a, of the safety block shankare ofsuitable size relatively so that the shank end portion 28a may be slid through the opening 32. A stationary pin 28d may be inserted through the shank to maintain the bellcrank plate against downward slippage. v i

The bellcrank plate'3l fulcrums with a pivot bearing at its angle of leverage 33 on'a vertical pin or bolt 34 which is mounted in the offset lugs i la and |2a of the opposite tang plates whereby the pin 35 is offset from the longitudinal center line of the tang structure. An inner side wall of the hollowed-out portion 9 of the gun stock may be recessed as at 9a to provide space accommodation for pin 34 and for lateral operation of bellcrank plate 3|, as best shown in Fig. 3. The other arm of the bellcrank plate is pivotally connected as at 35 to an elongated lever bar 345 which is pivotally fulcrumed approximately centrally intermediate its ends as at 31 on the rear tang bolt M. The opposite end of the lever bar 36 is connected for relative pivotal movement, as at 38 to the shank or post 39 of a manually depressible member such as a plungerbutton 40, the latter beingdepressible inwardly horizontally operation of relative to the vertical plane of the stock when at shoulder position, and being tensioned against a coil spring 4| on its shank, the spring and the shank being set in an opening 42 provided therefor in the sidewall of the stock, the spring having footing on a shoulder of said openings as at 43.

The head of the button 40 is countersunk in a recess 44 so that, when the safety block is at normal position in looking relation to the trigger, the top of the button is substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall of the grip portion of the gun stock, whereby the button will be free from any inadvertent pressure which would release the safety block from looking engagement of the trigger parts.

The spring 4| tensions the button and the rear end 3611 of lever bar 36 outwardly, and at such position of the button, it will be noted that the forward end 36b of lever bar 36 is fulcrumed inwardly at the bellcrank connection 35 towards the longitudinal center line of the stock, so that the point of pivotal connection of the bellcrank to the shank 28 of the safety block is at a forward position, with the cross head end portion 29 bearing in the notch on the arcuate' chamfer 24 of the trigger plates l8, -l9 and with the stop or tooth 25 preventing the safety block from overriding the upper end of the chamfer. This is the normal locked position referred to above.

When the gun is in firing position, which is usually at the shooters shoulder, with the triggeroperating hand gripping the pistol grip portion closely rearwardly of the trigger guard 22 and the trigger finger is on a trigger hook, the second or third finger of the hand will normally and naturally pass under the pistol grip rearwardly adjacent the trigger guard and be positioned on the outer surface of the button 40, so that, at that position, the normal and natural firm grip of the hand on the stock when steadying the gun for firing, exerts pressure of said finger on the button inwardly at the time when the triggers are to be pulled. The purpose of the invention being to provide a release for trigger-locking means operable by the free fingers which normally pass under the pistol grip portion of the stock, the

depressible button member 40 is positioned in the side Wall of the stock which is vertical when the gun is at shoulder position and is sufficiently 1 adjacent to the bottom of the stock tobe reached by the free fingers which pass under the stock;-

The spring tensioned inward movement of the button presses the rear end 36a of lever 36 inwardly and thereby fulcrums the forward end 36b" outwardly, whereby the bellcrank plate 3|, due to ger plates to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, whereupon the trigger may be freely operated. If, in concentrating on-the target, or excitement in firing, the button should not be fully pressed to its seat to completely release the block from engagement with the trigger plate,the raising of the arc of the chamfer 24 will pushthe safet block back and clear of the trigger plate as soon as button 40 is depressed sufficient to release the safety block for its notch seat and the safety block passes the maximum height of the arc.

effective to return the safety block to its locked position in engagement with the triggers. at all times when the button is not pushed against unintended discharge of the gun.

Upon release of the finger pressure from button 40, the tension of spring 4| is immediately The triggers themselves have downward springactuated pressure responsive to the spring tensioned sears bearing upon them, such as by sear spring 45, enabling the chamfer at the rear end of the trigger plates to facilitate the movement of the safety block to regain its position seated in the notch back of the stop member 25 for locking the trigger, regardless of whether the trigger or the button MI is released first after discharging the gun. At such time, if the pressure on the button should be eased before the release of pressure on the trigger, that is, while a trigger plate still remains raised, the crosshead end of the safety block will abut the rear end of the trigger plate, and due to the arcuate chamfer, will automatically ride smoothly to its seat on the trigger plate upon lowering of the trigger by release of finger pressure on the trigger hook, the stop 25 preventing any override. Release of the trigger prior to the release of the button lowers the trigger plate and permits the safety block to ride up the chamfer to its normal seat without obstruction.

To facilitate mounting of the apparatus in the stock and frame of the tang it is desirable that the forward end of the stock be divided longitudinally midway resulting in a removable section rearwardly to the end of the pistol grip portion indicated at 46. The stock pieces are closely and nicely fitted and may be replaced and firmly held by threaded bolts 41. Also, since the rear end 3611 of lever 36 and the connection 38 of the button shank thereto will be rearwardly of the usual length of the tank structure, an additional length of longitudinal recess indicated 48 is provided in the stock approximately midway between the upper and lower tang plates, and of sufiicient diameter to permit the reciprocation of the rearward end of lever 36.

The invention is not limited to operation by a press button 40 on the specific side of the stock as shown in the drawing, since it is obvious that by transposing the necessary parts to the opposite side of the center line of the tang structure, the same operation could be accomplished by a press button on the opposite side of the stock.

It is also to be understood that the mechanism described herein would be adaptable to a single trigger gun by merely making the crossbar 29 of lesser width.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

In a safety device for guns, the combination of a gun stock and a tang structure inserted thereinto, a gun trigger having a plate portion extending within the tang structure, a safety block for engaging said plate portion of the trigger, means for automatically moving the safety block into engagement with the trigger plate to lock the rigger against movement, and means for releasing the safety block from engagement with the trigger, said last mentioned means including a manually depressible member on the outer sidewall of the stock rearwardly of the trigger, and sufficiently close to the bottom of the stock whereby it may be depressed inwardly by a finger of the trigger-engaging hand which passes under the stock rearwardly of the trigger.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a gun stock and a tang structure inserted thereinto, a trigger having within the tang structure an elongated plate portion provided with a chamfer at its rear end said chamfer being inclined upwardly and forwardly and terminating at its upper portion in a stop member providing a notched seat for a safety block, a

safety block for engaging the notch of the cham fer of the trigger plate, means for automatically moving the safety block into engagement with the chamfer of the trigger to lock the trigger against movement, and spring tensioned means operable from the outer side wall of the stock rearwardly of the trigger for releasing the safety block from such locking engagement, said chamfer and said safety block being cooperatively arranged whereby said safety block is adapted to ride along the chamfer and engage said stop means responsive tosaid spring tension means.

3. A safety device for guns, comprising the combination of a gun stock and a tang structure inserted thereinto, a trigger having a trigger plate extending into the tang structure and provided with a chamfer at its rear end and a stop member at the upper end of the chamfer providing a notched seat for a safety block, a safety block for engaging the notch of the chamfer of the trigger plate, means for automatically moving the safety block into engagement with the chamfer of the trigger plate to engage said stop means and. thereby lock the trigger against movement, and a finger press member operable from the outer side wall of the stock rearwardly of the trigger for releasing the safety block from such locking engagement, said finger press member being spring tensioned for operating horizontally to the vertical plane of the stock when at shoulder position, and being sufficiently adjacent to the bottom of the stock whereby it may be depressed inwardly by a free finger of the triggerngaging hand which passes under the stock rearwardly of the trigger.

4. In a safety device for guns, a tang structure for insertion into a gun stock, including a trigger having a trigger plate extending into the tang structure and provided with a chamfer at its rear end, a safety block for lockingly engaging the trigger plate, means for automatically moving the safety block into engagement with the chamfer of the trigger plate to lock the trigger against movement, and means including a lever train and a bellcrank for releasing the locking device from locking engagement with the trigger, and a spring tensioned finger press member mounted on the outer side wall of the stock rearwardly of the trigger and depressible horizontally to the vertical plane 'of the stock for actuating said lever train means, said finger press member being spring tensioned for operating horizontally to the vertical plane of the stock when at shoulder position, and being sufiiciently adjacent to the bottom of the stock whereby it may be depressed inwardly by a free finger of the trigger-engaging hand which passes under the stock rearwardly of the trigger.

5. A safety device for guns, comprising the combination of a tang structure for insertion into a gun stock, a gun trigger having a trigger plate extending into the tang structure, a safety block: for lockingly engaging the trigger plate, means for automatically moving the safety block into engagement with the trigger plate to lock the trigger against movement, and means for releasing the locking device including a spring-tensioned train of pivotally connected levers, and a finger press member on the outer side wall of the stock rearwardly of the trigger for actuating said lever train, said finger press member being spring tensioned for operating horizontally to the vertical plane of the stock when at shoulder position, and being sufficiently adjacent to the bottom of the stock whereby it may be depressed inwardly by a free finger of the trigger-engaging hand 7, which passes under the stock rearwardly of the trigger. l a

6.'In a device of the character described, the combination of a gun tang structure for insertion in a gun stock, a trigger having a trigger plate extending into the tang structure, asafety block for the trigger, means for automaticallymoving the safetyblock into engagement with the trigger plate to look the trigger against movement, and means for releasing the locking device including a bellcrank in a spring tensioned train of pivotally connected levers, and a finger press member manually operable from the outer side wall of the stock rearwardly of the trigger for actuating the lever train to release the safety block, one lever being an elongated bar having connection at one end, with the finger press member and pivotally fulcrurned intermediate its ends and being connected at its opposite end to one arm of the bellcrank lever, the other arm of the bellcrank lever having connection toithe safety block, said bellcrank having pivotalmounting at its leverage angle in-oirset relation to the longitudinal center line of the .tang structure, said finger press member being spring tensioned for operating horizontally to the vertical plane of the stock when at shoulder position, and being sufficiently adjacent to theibottom of the stock whereby it may be depressed inwardly by a free finger of the trigger-engaging hand which passes under the stock rearwardly of the trigger '7. A safety device for guns, comprising the combination of a gun having a recessed stock for re-- ceiving therein, a tang structure, a tang structure for insertion into the recess of the stock said tang structure having respective upper and lower tang plates for closing the recess in the stock at top and bottom, and each being provided intermediate the ends thereof with a laterally extending lug overlying and ofiset from the center line of the tang structure, a pivot bolt mounted between said offset lugs, a gun trigger having a trigger plate extending into the tang structure, a safety block for the trigger pivotally mounted at one of its endsto the tang structure and having its opposite end adapted for l-ockingly engaging the trigger against movement, and means for releasing the locking device including a train of pivotally connected levers one of which has pivotal mounting on said ofiset pivot bolt, and a press button operable from; the outer side wall of the stock rearwardly of the trigger for actuating the lever train, said finger press member being spring tensioned for operating horizontally to the vertical plane of the stock when at shoulder position, and being sufficiently adjacent to the bottom of the stock whereby it may be depressed inwardly b a free finger of the trigger-engaging hand which passes under the stock rearwardly of the trigger.

JOHN FRANK BOONE.

REFERENCES eiTEn The following references are of record in the file or this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 313,170 Bull Mar. 3, 1885 436,100 Mayott Sept. 9, 1890 465,764 Jenkins Dec. 22, 1891 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 23,167 Great Britain 1912 595,623 France Oct. 5, 1925 

